Follow Us

More

8 Players From The 2014 NHL Draft Who Look Like Studs And 7 Potential Busts

The topic of this list alone is enough to generate backlash from fans of teams with players labeled as busts. It's true that it's far too early to label 20-year-old prospects as busts, but at the same time there are certain expectations that come with being a first round draft pick, and you simply can't ignore when those players stumble through their first professional season. Likewise, you can't get overly excited about a young player in his first season unless the player is a generational talent like Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, or Auston Matthews. That's why you won't see Sam Bennett in either category.

Bennett, the fourth overall pick in the draft, famously couldn't do a single pull up at the NHL Draft Combine, but energized the Calgary Flames during the team's postseason run in 2014-15. He had a decent rookie season, but hasn't taken the next step in 2016-17. He's not a bust, but he doesn't appear to have the drive and skill set needed to become a star player. However, there are several players from the draft who have already established themselves as top-six forwards or first-pairing defenders. Others have struggled to find footing in the professional ranks, and while that doesn't mean they won't develop into solid NHLers, there's at least reason for caution.

15 Stud: Nick Schmaltz

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Recently-turned 21 year old Nick Schmaltz was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks with the 20th selection in the draft. He was regarded as a pass-first offensive forward in his draft year, having come off a season of 18 goals and 45 assists with the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers. He continued to showcase his playmaking skills through two years at the University of North Dakota, where he recorded 16 goals and 56 assists in a combined 75 games.

14 Bust: Jake Virtanen

Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

The Vancouver Canucks have been tricking themselves into thinking they had a legitimate shot at the playoffs for the past two seasons, keeping veterans rather than dealing them for young players. That attitude changed at the recent trade deadline, but the Canucks missed an opportunity to get younger. One of the promising young players they do have in the organization is Jake Virtanen, who was selected by the team sixth overall in 2014.

13 Stud: Dylan Larkin

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Though he has taken a step back this season, we're willing to attribute that to the fact the Detroit Red Wings are, for the first time in 25 years, an awful team in danger of missing the playoffs. Still, even during a down year, his 12 goals in 59 games is fifth on the team, just two behind a trio of forwards who are tied with 14.

12 Bust: Jared McCann

Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Drafted by the Vancouver Canucks with the 24th overall pick, Jared McCann was rushed to the NHL by an impatient Canucks team looking to infuse their aging roster with youth. Rather than going back to junior for his final year of eligibility, McCann spent the 2015-16 season with the Canucks, recording 18 points in 69 games - decent numbers for a 19-year-old, though he wasn't without his struggles.

11 Stud: Aaron Ekblad

Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

The Panthers were able to trade the aforementioned Erik Gudbranson because they had a legitimate stud on the blue line in Aaron Ekblad. This shouldn't be a surprise, however, as Ekblad was taken with the first overall pick in the draft. Few defensemen are able to jump right into the league as an 18-year-old, but Ekblad did that quite effectively in 2014-15, winning the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie after scoring 12 goals and adding 27 assists in 81 games.

10 Bust: Sonny Milano

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Despite that they look to be a playoff team, the 2016-17 Columbus Blue Jackets are the youngest team in the league. This is noteworthy, considering Sonny Milano, the 16th pick in 2014, has only played just two games with Columbus this season. It's clear the Blue Jackets are willing to give young players an opportunity, but there's a sense they're not too high on Milano, who was reportedly on the trade block prior to last season's deadline.

9 Stud: Sam Reinhart

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Sabres made the right decision with second overall pick Sam Reinhart. The North Vancouver native made the team out of training camp in 2014-15, but played just nine games before being returned to junior. Had he played one more, he would have burned a year of restricted free agent status and likely would have halted his development. Instead, he recorded 65 points in 47 games with the WHL's Kootenay Ice and won a World Junior Championship gold medal with Canada.

Featured Today

8 Bust: Conner Bleackley

via milehighhockey.com

It's usually not a good sign if you're drafted twice, especially if you're a first round pick. The Colorado Avalanche selected center Conner Bleackley with the 23rd overall pick after he had recorded 68 points in 71 games for the WHL's Red Deer Rebels. He continued along at a near point-per-game pace for the following two seasons, but the Avalanche were unimpressed by his development and opted not to sign him to an entry-level contract by the June 1st deadline in 2016.

7 Stud: David Pastrnak

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Few expected 25th overall pick David Pastrnak to have the impact he has had at the NHL level this soon, including the Boston Bruins. The Czech winger played in Sweden prior to being drafted, recording 24 points in 36 games with Sodertalje SK of the second division league. Because he played in Europe, he was eligible to play in the AHL as a teenager, unlike Canadian and American junior players, who have to wait until their 20-year-old season.

6 Bust: Josh Ho-Sang

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Though he was recently recalled by the New York Islanders, there are plenty reasons to believe Josh Ho-Sang isn't going to develop into the player the organization hopes he will. The right winger was one of the most talented offensive players leading up to the draft, but questions about his character persisted, especially given his outspoken confidence, which goes against the hockey culture.

5 Stud: Nikolaj Ehlers

Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

You have to give the Winnipeg Jets credit for selecting Nikolaj Ehlers with the ninth overall pick. At the time, he was an undersized winger who arrived in Halifax of the QMJHL from Denmark, a country not particularly known for developing quality hockey players. That said, Ehlers opened eyes with 104 points in 63 games for Halifax and rose up the draft rankings throughout the year.

4 Bust: Haydn Fleury

James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

The Carolina Hurricanes have a stable of promising young defensemen currently playing in the NHL. But despite their acceptance to play young blueliners, their patience with Haydn Fleury is telling, particularly given that their playoff chances are slim to none.

3 Stud: William Nylander

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Sweden's William Nylander is more than just an incredible head of hair. The eighth overall pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs proved himself enough in just 20 games with MODO of the SHL in 2014-15, scoring eight goals and adding 12 assists. He came to North America following the 2015 World Junior Championships and played in 37 games for the AHL's Toronto Marlies, acclimating himself well with 32 points.

2 Bust: Michael Dal Colle

Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Teams drafting in the top five generally expect to find a future impact player, one who might be able to play in the league and produce as early as 19 or 20. That hasn't been the case with winger Michael Dal Colle, who the Islanders selected with the fifth overall pick. A prolific scorer in his draft year, Dal Colle carried that momentum into 2014-15, posting 93 points in just 56 games. Still, he wasn't able to make the Islanders in 2015-16 and was sent back to the junior.

1 Stud: Leon Draisaitl

Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Lost in all the Connor McDavid hype in Edmonton is the fact that Leon Draisaitl has been one of the league's best young players in 2016-17. The big-bodied German center was taken with the third overall pick, and as the Oilers were accustomed to doing, the team expedited his development by keeping him with the big club in 2014-15. Draisaitl scored just two goals in 37 games with the Oilers, and, realizing they made a mistake, the Oilers sent him back to the WHL's Kelowna Rockets, where he ended up posting 53 points in 32 games.

Draisaitl posted a quiet 51 points in his first full season in the NHL last year, and has been a key cog in the Oilers resurgence this season, collecting 54 points through 64 games while playing second-line minutes behind McDavid. His 23 goals lead the team.